$5K swindled from resident in Johns Creek

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. – The Internal Revenue Service and other government agencies will never demand money over the phone. One Johns Creek man found this out the hard way as he was swindled out of $5,000.

The victim told police he was called April 8 by someone claiming to be with the Treasury Department who demanded payment of $5,000. The suspect claimed if the money was not sent via “Money Gram” cards, the sheriff would be sent to arrest the victim and take possession of his home.

The victim complied and bought $5,000 worth of cards and sent the money to the suspect. Once he had the money, the suspect then demanded an additional $6,000.

When the victim said he could not pay that, the suspect lowered his amount to $3,000. At this point, the victim became suspicious. The caller hung up when confronted.

A similar incident happened in Alpharetta a day earlier. Again, the victim was told he owed nearly $5,000 to the IRS or he would be arrested. He bought several “Green Dot” prepaid cards and paid the scammer. It was only when he hung up that he realized he had been fooled.